Calderwood has little to celebrate on one-year anniversary

COLIN Calderwood marks a year as Hibernian manager today but won’t be celebrating after admitting Saturday’s defeat to Motherwell was his biggest disappointment since being at Easter Road.

The Leith outfit produced an abject first-half performance in the 1-0 loss and the level of the supporters’ anger was apparent when they booed the team off at the interval.

Exactly 12 months ago today, Calderwood was officially unveiled as John Hughes’ successor but it’s been a roller-coaster journey, with Hibs winning 11, losing 24 and drawing ten during that time. And from all the bumps along the road, Calderwood confesses the weekend’s insipid first-half display was by far the worst.

He said: “I was probably as disappointed as I’ve been since I joined the club because in the first half we didn’t affect Motherwell at all. We made everything hard. We were not brave enough and good enough in possession. You’re always going to get a reaction in the second half but they didn’t play because they were scared of playing.

“We’re angry with ourselves. We didn’t put any performance in in the first 45 minutes. We were a shadow of any side that I would want representing Hibernian Football Club.

“When you wear the shirt and cross the line you have to want to play. One or two wanted to be there but didn’t want to play. Too many went forward and didn’t work hard going back.”

Hibs will look to bounce back when they travel to St Mirren this weekend and Calderwood admits there is no hiding place for the players. He added: “The desire is there but we didn’t show it. We didn’t show anything. They were on the pitch and didn’t do anything. I’m still confident in the players. All it does is raise question marks.

“It’s not their ability, it’s about their character and being able to play on a match day. You can be termed a professional footballer but unless you do something on a Saturday, it’s a loose term.”